This and your previous comment really resonate with me. Even if you're solving interesting problems, it's hard to stay motivated in the long term if you don't feel like you're providing a useful service to other humans and in some way making their lives better. Even though personally I certainly don't have more money than I know what to do with, a deeper purpose is much more valuable than doubling my salary.
Guys, what are we going to do? I have the exact same problem. I don't need the high salary anymore but I don't know what to switch to. I't doesn't help being in a country where nothing interesting is happening. How do we find something which feels worth fighting for? I want to work extra hours because it's somthing I believe in but it can't be a webshop backend or an ad optimization engine. Is there something people really need that programmers can help with from around the world? It feels like most issues are political or psychological
I joined a trade union, we're always doing lots of really valuable work, helping people who need help. I'm the union's IT officer now, daily work is just managing email lists and arguing with MS 365, ongoing projects are updating our website and dues payment system. Doing this work helps our activists, organisers, and retained lawyers do their extremely valuable work. I'm not paid, I do it in spare time around an unrelated full-time job. I feel good about it. If you've got any useful skills, or just some free time, you can support anyone you see out in the world doing good.
